Vijayawada: Minister for finance Yanamala Ramakrishnudu hinted that the state government was considering lowering the tax on petrol and diesel as the crude oil prices have dropped across the world. He said there was no impact of GST in the state but that the growth rate in the real estate sector was not encouraging.

Addressing the state-level review meeting of commercial taxes department here on Thursday, the minister said the state achieved a growth rate of 11 per cent in 2016-17. Chief commissioner of commercial taxes K. Syamala Rao, special chief secretary (revenue) D. Sambasiva Rao and others were present. Mr Yanamala Ramakrishnudu said the commercial taxes department earned 44 per cent of a target of Rs 40,000 crore. He said officials should try to increase the collection of tax without harassing traders. Later, the minister presented citations to 90 officials who played key role in implementation and awareness programmes of GST.